Bio
Will Christou
Will Christou studied Arabic and International Studies at the University of Florida. He has interned and worked for a variety of publications and think-tanks and joined Syria Direct in 2019. He has studied and worked in Jordan since 2017.
Latest Articles
Reconstructing the nation, one dome at a time
As sites like the Armenian Bethel Church and the Great Mosque of Aleppo undergo renovations in formerly rebel-held territories, narratives of the Syrian government’s victory are reinforced.
The Caesar Act: The beginning or end of US Syria Policy?
As the Caesar Act was signed into law, human rights groups celebrated a hard-fought victory, but it remains unclear how the new sanctions will affect Syrian civilians.
Syrian Christians: Exploited or protected minority?
While all sides of the Syrian civil war claim to be the true protector of Syrian Christians, the religious minority feels increasingly unsafe. Who, if anyone, is standing up for Syrian Christians?
How many civilians are returning to the Turkish ‘safe zone’?
There has been mass confusion over the number and makeup of those IDPs returning to Turkish-controlled areas post-Operation Peace Spring. Who is actually returning and what does their return mean for the future of the area?
‘The water will not last more than a month’: Northeast Syria faces critical water shortage
With the main source of potable water, Alok water station, still out of service, humanitarian organizations are scrambling to provide water to hundreds of thousands as reserves dwindle.
‘The Situation is miserable’: IDPs caught between Turkey and Damascus’ forces
Massive displacement caused by Turkey’s offensive in northeast Syria has created a massive humanitarian crisis, trapping civilians between Turkey and Damascus.
International volunteers play a key role in documenting Turkish offensive
As the Turkish offensive raged on, foreign volunteers played a key role in helping journalists and the outside world understand what was happening in northeast Syria.
Kurdish, Turkish groups compete for influence in Washington D.C. as invasion looms
As tensions came to a head in northeastern Syria with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s latest threat to invade east of the Euphrates, a variety of Syrian-Kurdish and Turkish groups raced to influence Washington’s commitment to the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF).
Tweets, mercenaries and aid: The tools of Russia’s war in Syria
This article examines the strategy Russia used during its military intervention in Syria, where war is not just fought with bullets, but also with tweets, aid packages and mercenaries.
‘#BeatsNotBombs’: Idlib rapper protests all parties
“We are drowning in shit,” Amir sings while standing in a half-destroyed classroom. In his rap video released this week, “On All Fronts,” he takes aim at virtually every party in the Syrian conflict while walking around Idlib, the rubble-strewn streets and children standing in the ruins of their schools striking proof of collective failure.